No. 15 Kansas didn’t just beat No.
24 Kentucky on Tuesday night in the Champions Classic - it flattened the Wildcats 89-69 and left no doubt about which team owned the floor. The 20-point margin was the largest victory for KU since the Champions Classic started in 2011.
The game was tight early, with both teams trading punches through the middle of the first half. Then Kansas grabbed a 20-17 lead on a 3-pointer from freshman Tyran Stokes with about 11 minutes left before halftime, and from there the Jayhawks took control and never gave it back.
Stokes was the headliner all night. The freshman looked every bit like the No. 1 recruit in the country and was the best player on the court for either side.
He finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists while shooting 8-of-19 from the field. He attacked, he created, he defended, and he worked on the glass.
In a game played under the brightest lights, he looked completely at home.
Trey Kaufman-Renn gave Kansas another steady force. He put up 12 points, six rebounds, and six assists, with only Taylen Kinney’s eight assists topping him on the team. Kaufman-Renn was efficient inside, going 4-for-5 in the paint, and carried himself with the kind of calm presence that can make him the most reliable player on this roster from night to night.
The Jayhawks also had Kentucky chasing the pace all evening. Kansas pushed the ball with speed, and Kinney helped fuel that tempo with the ball in his hands.
The Wildcats never seemed to find a real answer for the Jayhawks’ up-tempo attack, especially in the first half. That kind of speed and athleticism gives KU a look that can travel against all kinds of opponents.
Tre White added the kind of scoring punch that changes what this offense can be. Kentucky had no answer for him, and he poured in a season-high 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range.
He also went 4-for-4 at the free throw line. His ability to stretch the floor matters, and when you pair that with Stokes creating plays and Kaufman-Renn finishing inside, Kansas has the makings of a dangerous offense.
The one area that didn’t pop was the bench. Keanu Dawes, Christian Reeves, Trent Perry, and Dennis Parker Jr. combined for 12 of Kansas’ 89 points. That’s more a reflection of how well the starters carried the load than a knock on the reserves, but it’s still something KU would like to see improve as the season goes on.
In Other News...
Kansas Freshmen Just Gave Fans A Dangerous Glimpse Against Kentucky
A nationally televised win over Kentucky gave Kansas fans an early look at what this freshman class can do when it starts clicking. Tyran Stokes set the tone with 23 points and four three-pointers, while Taylen Kinney kept the offense moving with eight assists in an 89-69 rout that felt as much about promise as it did about the final margin.
For Jayhawks supporters, the most interesting part may be where this goes next. Both Stokes and Kinney were heavily recruited by Kentucky, and they made a point of showing their value in a game that carried plenty of attention beyond the box score. If this is the kind of impact Kansas can get from its freshmen this early, the rest of the season could get very interesting in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Just Sent An Early Warning To The Rest Of College Basketball
The Champions Classic offered an early snapshot of where the college basketball powers stand, and Kansas left Madison Square Garden with the kind of win that tends to travel. While Michigan States upset of Duke grabbed plenty of attention, the Jayhawks handled Kentucky and reinforced why they are already being viewed as a team with the look of a serious national contender. It was the sort of opening-night result that can shape the conversation around a program before conference play even begins.
For Kansas, the win also came against a Kentucky team that still has obvious questions to sort through, especially at point guard and at power forward. Duke, meanwhile, was left to regroup after an uneven offensive showing despite its talent, while Emoni Bates continued to draw eyes as one of the early NBA draft names to watch with his improved outside shooting and assertive style. For the Jayhawks, the bigger takeaway is simple: they did not just survive a marquee stage, they used it to send a message. [Read more 🡒]
Tyran Stokes Just Gave Kansas Fans A Reason To Dream
Tyran Stokes gave Kansas plenty to feel good about in the Champions Classic, turning in a 23-point, 10-rebound effort in an 89-69 win over Kentucky. The freshman forward looked comfortable in a big setting, and Bill Self pointed to the way Stokes handled his emotions while still staying effective from start to finish.
For Stokes, the matchup carried extra weight. He grew up in Louisville and was recruited by Kentucky, so the stage had a little more meaning than most November games, and he said as much afterward while crediting his coaches for the confidence he showed in his shooting. For Kansas, the encouraging part is not just the performance itself, but the possibility that a young player already looks ready for nights when the spotlight is brightest. [Read more 🡒]